Rev. Charles Opoku calls for arrest and prosecution of pedestrians who shun footbridges

Rev. Charles Opoku, former Head of Monitoring at the Forestry Commission, has made a strong appeal. He wants law enforcement to arrest pedestrians who ignore footbridges. This behavior puts their lives and motorists' lives at risk.

On Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Rev. Opoku expressed his concerns. He noted that many people in Accra disregard pedestrian footbridges. This is troubling, especially after the government invested heavily in their construction.

He pointed out hotspots like Tetegu Junction, Nii Boi Town, Lapaz, and Kaneshie. The Kaneshie footbridge is particularly concerning. It is overloaded with goods from traders and often ignored by city authorities.

Rev. Opoku questioned this indiscipline. People cross the road directly under bridges even when traffic lights are green for vehicles. In congested areas like Kasoa to Kaneshie and Lapaz, pedestrians cross at dangerous times, risking accidents.

He acknowledged recent efforts by security forces to address the issue. Last week, police and army personnel enforced compliance at Tetegu; he praised these actions but called for more sustained efforts.

Rev. Opoku urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to assign dedicated teams at major footbridges. These teams should arrest offenders for prosecution to protect lives and enforce laws effectively.

He recalled a former police officer named Inspector Addai who rigorously enforced traffic laws on the Teshie-Nungua stretch. His approach worked then and can work again with determination.

Sustained enforcement will lead to behavioral change among pedestrians, he believes. Those who refuse to use footbridges should face arrests and fines consistently until they learn to obey rules.

Rev. Opoku also stressed a need for a national mindset shift towards lawfulness. He noted that when traffic is heavy, drivers do not use road shoulders; pedestrians must show similar discipline for society to be law-abiding.